Philips Updates Gaming Features with Full HDMI 2.1 Support

At IFA in Berlin, Philips unveiled its latest gaming suite for 2026 OLED televisions, marking a significant shift in its strategy for the gaming market. The company is introducing four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports, a redesigned Gamebar interface, and a new Reference picture mode. This update addresses long-standing criticisms of Philips TVs having fewer high-speed inputs than rivals like LG and Samsung, positioning the brand to compete directly with major players in the premium gaming segment.

According to reporting from GN technics/gaming (en-US), these changes are built around a new MediaTek Pentonic 800 processor. This hardware upgrade enables 4K resolution at up to 165Hz and reduces input lag to 7 milliseconds at 120Hz. While these specs are impressive on paper, the practical impact varies depending on whether you are using a console or a PC, as many of the highest-end features are only relevant for high-refresh-rate PC gaming.

Four Ports Finally Standard

For years, Philips limited its OLED models to just two HDMI 2.1 ports, forcing gamers to choose which devices had access to advanced features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Automatic Low Latency Mode (ALLM). With the 2026 lineup, all four ports now support 48Gbps bandwidth, AMD FreeSync Premium, and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible. This means you can connect a console, a PC, and other devices simultaneously without sacrificing performance or needing to switch cables.

However, there is a trade-off to consider regarding the new 165Hz support at 4K. While this is a step up from the previous 144Hz limit, it is primarily useful for PC gamers with high-end graphics cards. If you are playing on a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, the maximum refresh rate is capped at 120Hz. For console users, the additional 25Hz offers no tangible benefit, making this feature a luxury for PC enthusiasts rather than a necessity for mainstream gamers.

Reference Mode Prioritizes Accuracy

The most significant software update is the new Reference picture mode within Gamebar 2.0. Unlike traditional Game modes on other brands, which often boost brightness and saturation to make images pop, Reference mode aims for accuracy. It is designed to reproduce the color and luminance exactly as the game developers intended, whether in SDR, HDR, or Dolby Vision. This approach preserves the artistic vision of the game without blowing out highlights or oversaturating colors, offering a more authentic experience.

Philips has also introduced AI-based game detection that can identify specific titles and apply preset settings automatically. At launch, this database is limited to a small number of games, such as Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced, but the list is expected to grow. The system defaults to Reference mode but allows users to fine-tune settings for each specific game, creating a personalized profile that saves you from manually adjusting settings every time you switch titles.

Motion Interpolation Adds Lag

Another new feature is an AI-driven motion interpolation mode for games, similar to Nvidia’s DLSS frame generation. This allows the TV to generate intermediate frames to boost a 30fps game to 60fps. While this can make slower games appear smoother, it comes with a cost: approximately 10 milliseconds of additional input lag. For most console gamers, this may be an acceptable trade-off for smoother visuals, but competitive players who rely on split-second reaction times may find the added delay detrimental.

It is also worth noting that while OLED panels offer superior response times and contrast for gaming, they still lack support for Dual-Line Gate (DLG). DLG allows LCD TVs to drop resolution to 1080p to achieve extremely high refresh rates like 240Hz or 330Hz. Since OLED cannot match this specific high-refresh capability, competitive PC gamers who prioritize maximum frame rates over picture quality might still prefer high-end LCD panels, despite the visual advantages of OLED.